• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Film
  • DVD
  • Editorial
  • About ScreenFish

ScreenFish

where faith and film are intertwined

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • News
  • OtherFish
  • Podcast
  • Give

Pharrell Williams

Voices of Fire: The Unicorns of Gospel

November 20, 2020 by Julie Levac Leave a Comment

Voices of Fire English Docuseries Is Streaming Online watch on Netflix

Based in Hampton Roads, Virginia at Faith World Ministries, Voices of Fire is the newest Netflix reality show and focuses on Bishop Ezekiel Williams’ vision of a diverse and inspirational gospel choir.  He gathered an expert team including a musical director, vocal coach, choir master, and his nephew, Pharrell Williams, in order to find the most talented group of gospel singers arounds.  (“Unicorns”, as Pharrell called them.)

Netflix 'Voices Of Fire' Sets Pharrell Williams Gospel Choir Search –  Deadline

Bishop Williams wasn’t just looking to form a singing group.  His goal was clearly to have his message reach the masses.  His dream was to tour the world with this choir, stating that “music transcends racial divide and cultural boundaries”.  He expressed how people won’t sit down and listen to a sermon but they’ll listen to gospel music and receive the same message. He believed music makes the message more palatable.

It’s not long into watching Voices of Fire that you start feeling all kinds of emotion and it’s impossible not to feel the music in your soul.  Honestly, some of the voices that audition for the choir are the most beautiful you’ve ever heard.  

Hear emotional 'At Last!' rendition on Pharrell's 'Voices of Fire' | EW.com

Apart from these voices, the power comes from hearing the back stories of those who audition.  Some of them experienced the most unimaginable hardship.  It was often heartbreaking, but special to be able to get a glimpse into what made them who they are, and what brought them to music.  Those past experiences truly bleed into their music and increase the emotion that much more.

As someone who has been involved in church choir, I can vouch for the fact that it is a challenging yet beautiful experience.  When all of the voices come together in harmony, it’s powerful.  Religious or not, you can’t not feel it. 

Voices of Fire is a special journey to witness.  It’s available now on Netflix.

Filed Under: Featured, Netflix, Reviews Tagged With: Netflix, Pharrell Williams, reality, Voices of Fire

Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch: Lost and Lonely for the Holidays

February 5, 2019 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

The Grinch (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his loyal dog, Max, live a lonely life atop the snowy crest of Mount Crumpet. Ostracizing himself from the Whos down in Whoville (the tall and the small), his main source of frustration comes during Christmastime when his neighbors celebrate the holidays with a bang. When the Whos decide to make Christmas bigger and brighter this year than ever before, the Grinch hatches a scheme to steal Christmas and end the Whos’ jovial celebration once and for all.

Produced by Chris Meledandri (Despicable Me), the greatest challenge facing Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch seemed to be whether or not The House That Minions Built could tell a story that lived up the legacy of the iconic original. Thankfully, the latest incarnation of Dr. Seuss’ classic tale is an engaging romp that treads enough new ground to feel fresh and—dare I say it?—even necessary. (Incidentally, what impressed me most about the film is that, despite coming from Illumination, the humor is mostly spared from going full ‘Minions’ with bathroom humor, allowing it to feel somewhat timeless and charming.) Star Benedict Cumberbatch plays the titular villain with snarling glee as he plots against the seemingly naïve Who’s (even if he isn’t quite as much of a ‘mean one’ as previous incarnations). What’s more, this film seems to have a lighter bounce and sense of play than in the past, making it more accessible to even younger viewers.

Still, The Grinch sets itself apart from previous versions through its sense of grace and support towards others. While we’ve seen the Grinch as either traumatized by lost love (live-action) or simply… well… mean (animated), this vision shows him as a lonely curmudgeon. Alone in the orphanage as a child, Cumberbatch’s Grinch has deliberately tried to pull himself away from others, not out of hatred but out of jealousy. Having never been invited to be a part of any sort of community, the Grinch simply doesn’t understand the blessing of being surrounded by people that care about you. (Or, he’s at least oblivious to it, as his friendship with Max and Fred would indicate.)

Conversely, however, the Grinch’s isolation is held in contrast to the Who’s desire to come together and, more specifically, Cindy Lou Who’s quest to help her mother. Out of love and respect for what she sees her mom sacrifice for their family, Cindy Lou sets out on a quest to [literally] wrestle Santa to the ground in order to ensure that her request gets through to the North Pole. Rather than give Santa a list of gifts, all she cares about is seeing her mother get the help she needs. Like Cindy Lou, this film has a much firmer grasp on the meaning of the holidays and, as a result, the film’s climactic reunion with the Grinch seems far more significant. This vision of The Grinch understands what it means for a community to lovingly support those in need—and the importance of grace that breaks through in its midst.

On video, the film transfers beautifully (especially in 4K which really allows the color to pop onscreen). Special features include 3 mini-movies (yes, two of them feature the Minions), Cindy Lou’s Yule Log and a sing-a-long version of “You’re a Mean One (Mr. Grinch)”. However, one of the most interesting pieces is also the most simple. A short video entitled “Any Who Can Draw” allows viewers to put their artistic skills to work to draw characters from the film, an activity that my whole family enjoyed.

Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch is available on 4K, BluRay, DVD or Digital Download.

To hear our podcast on The Grinch, click here.

The Grinch (Benedict Cumberbatch) warns his dog Max and reindeer Fred about the seductive power of the Santa cookie as he trains them to help him steal Christmas in “Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch” from Illumination.

Filed Under: DVD, Film Tagged With: Angela Lansbury, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Meledandri, Christmas, Illumination, Kenan Thompson, Minions, Pharrell Williams, Rashida Jones, The Grinch, Universal

Primary Sidebar

THE SF NEWS

Get a special look, just for you.

sf podcast

Hot Off the Press

  • The Marijuana Conspiracy: Token Rights and Freedoms
  • Quo Vadis, Aida? – Helplessness
  • GIVEAWAY! The Marksman on Blu-Ray!
  • In The Earth: Getting Too Close to Mother Nature
  • Monday – The Price of Hedonism
Find tickets and showtimes on Fandango.

where faith and film are intertwined

film and television carry stories which remind us of the stories God has woven since the beginning of time. come with us on a journey to see where faith and film are intertwined.

Footer

ScreenFish Articles

The Marijuana Conspiracy: Token Rights and Freedoms

Quo Vadis, Aida? – Helplessness

  • About ScreenFish
  • Privacy Policy

© 2021 · ScreenFish.net · Built by Aaron Lee